Hermione and Ron followed Harry up the footpath towards the massive estate that was Lionheart Manor. The iron gates closed on their own behind them, and the setting sun gave the house almost a horrific glow to it, but the feeling of their old friend being beside them once more gave them a sense of relief.

Once they entered the house, house elves as far as the eye could see. Ron and Hermione were astonished.

"Harry, where did all these elves come from?" Hermione asked him.

"Inheritance," Harry replied, "they haven't had anyone to take care of them for years."

"'Take care of them?'" Ron asked, "No offense to anyone here, but normally, elves are the ones taking care of you."

"How right you are, Ron," Harry answered, "They are all freed, and are handsomely paid. They still opt to stick around here, and try to take care of me, but I almost always have to chase them out of the kitchen."

Hermione grinned, she was happy to see that she did leave some form of influence on her old friend. "So this is where you've been staying all this time?" Hermione asked.

"Yep. If you'd like, I can have bedrooms set up for you. Or is it bedroom now?" Harry offered smirking at Ron's red face.

Harry greeted them into his living room where the large portrait of his parents hung above the fireplace.

Hermione looked at her fiance, then back at her friend. She decided she would get him back some other time. "That won't be necessary Harry, Arthur is waiting for us back at the Inn."

Harry hadn't thought that Arthur would be here with them. He wanted to keep his friends here, and show them everything, but Arthur would worry for them, and was bound to go looking for them. He thought of inviting him here, but what then? To be slapped in the face for what he had done to his family? Fred's death, leaving Ginny, leaving Ron, leaving everyone, and on top of that, the death of his very dear friends, Remus, Tonks, and Sirius? No, he couldn't.

"We could bring him here Harry," Ron daringly suggested.

Harry inhaled. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

Hermione knew exactly what her friend was thinking. "Stop. He doesn't blame you for what happened."

"How can you be sure, Hermione?" Harry questioned. "His son is dead, along with some of his dearest friends. I don't think he would be thrilled to see me."

"Maybe you ought to take the advice you gave Ginny," Hermione said, contradicting his thought process, "Accept the fact that some things were just out of our hands and move on."

This time, Ginny did strike a chord with him. Maybe because the dam had finally burst, or simply because he realised the hypocrite he was, Hermione didn't know, but she was happy to see that she finally got through to him.

Harry took shaky breaths, "Hermione, even if that were the case, I'm not ready to face him."

"I know you're not," Hermione said, "which is why I already wrote him."

Ron was the first to speak, much to Harry and Hermione's surprise, "Hermione!" he exclaimed, "I want to get Harry integrated back into the family as much as you do, but this might be too much too soon, wouldn't you say?"

"No Ron, I do not say," Hermione retorted. "I know you two were friends before me, but I think I might have picked a few more things than you."

Ron sighed, he couldn't deny it, he was about as oblivious as could be in his school days.

"Hermione," Harry started through gritted teeth, "I know you mean well, but this is my house! Not yours! Mine! Seeing as you intended to bring him here without my permission, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Not this time Harry," Hermione said stubbornly, "As much as you want that, that's not going to happen. We're not leaving here without you!"

Harry felt his temper rising, but restrained himself. "That decision is not up to you, Hermione."

"This time it is Harry," Hermione said with a glare, "You've hurt us this way long enough, it's time to end it."

"If I hurt you so," Harry retorted, "then leave!"

"Not without you," Hermione said, pushing Harry even further.

"Mione," Ron began, "You've already seen what he's capable of, maybe now's not the time."

"This IS the time Ronald!" Hermione angrily retorted.

Harry had enough, he rose off the ground and extended his hand, palm forward towards Hermione. Hermione noticed a red glow from his fingertips, and dreaded what he was doing.

"NO HARRY!" the portrait of his father bellowed.

Harry turned to see his father red faced with anger.

"This is not what I have instructed of you!" he continued, "I thought you would be able to handle your power and not abuse it! Maybe I was wrong."

"Sorry dad," Harry said looking down as he hovered eye level with James. "I promise, it won't happen again."

"I hope so," James said, "God help us all if you allow yourself to be led astray."

"Harry," Ron said, staring up at the portrait, "is that who I think it is?"

"I think you're thinking right Ron," Hermione answered her fiance.

Harry turned to face his friends, and smiled down on them. "Ron, Hermione, meet my dad."

….

Arthur stopped at No. 13, and looked around for a sign of his son or Hermione. An elf appeared with a pop, startling him for a minute. "Master Weasley, it is a delight to see you again," the elf bowed to him.

"Forcedyme?" Arthur questioned.

"It is, sir," Forcedyme said as he looked back up at the wizard, "Forcedyme's master has sent Forcedyme here to help master Weasley find his way to his son and his bride. If you would be so kind to take Forcedyme's hand, sir."

"Forcedyme, just who is your master?" Arthur questioned, peering at his hand.

"Master has forbidden Forcedyme from saying, but Forcedyme could show master Weasley."

Arthur carefully took Forcedyme's hand, and felt a jolt in his stomach as Forcedyme apperated him away.

…..

Harry settled back onto the ground after he had finally calmed himself. Hermione eased up a bit as well, Ron still felt a little bit of shock.

"Harry," Ron began, "how?"

"Long story," Harry answered, "And I suppose if Arthur is coming, I should probably wait for him."

It didn't take much longer before Arthur had arrived. "Master Harry," Forcedyme's voice called, "Forcedyme brings master Arthur Weasley, sir! Just as master instructed!"

Harry sent Hermione a look, which Hermione only smiled at. 'Now we're even,' she thought to herself.

"Thank you Forcedyme," Harry responded.

Arthur recognized that voice, he spun around to see…. no….. was it really… "Harry?"

"Hello Mr Weasley," Harry said, dreading what was coming next.

Arthur walked slowly over to Harry, awe written in his face. As he walked closer, the room seemed to grow more quiet, and more dark. The bright blaze of the fire did not cast out any more light than the small candles from the chandelier that hung high above the both of them. Harry wanted nothing more but to run away again, and never let this man see his face for the pain that he had caused. But he held his ground. When Arthur finally stopped, he was face to face with Harry.

"Harry," he began, "how many times have I told you to call me Arthur?"